Do you believe in ghosts? Do we really live on in some conscious form after we die, and is that form capable of communicating with the world of the living?...Aye, right.That was Jack Parlabane's stance on the matter, anyway. But this was before he found himself in the more compromising position of being not only dead himself, but worse: dead with an exclusive still to file. From his position on high, Parlabane relates the events leading up to his demise, largely concerning the efforts of charismatic psychic Gabriel Lafayette to reconcile the scientific with the spiritual by submitting to controlled laboratory tests. Parlabane is brought in as an observer, due to his capacities as both a sceptic and an expert on deception, but he soon finds his certainties crumbling and his assumptions turned upside down as he encounters phenomena for which he can deduce no rational explanation. Perhaps, in a world in which he can find himself elected rector of an esteemed Scottish... Views: 62
ReviewIn a candid memoir, Emmy- and Golden Globe–winning actress Laurie remembers her long, surprising life as a film, theater and TV star.An “uncommunicative, silent child” who suffered from acute anxiety disorder, Laurie was inexplicably drawn to the world of stage performance from a young age. After suggesting that she “be in the movies,” her mother entered her in a contest that offered a screen test as first prize. Laurie won the contest but failed the screen test; yet the resolve to persist in following her dream remained strong. Her efforts eventually landed her a contract at Universal Studios when she was just 17. What she did not know was that “Universal was a picture factory then, specializing in a disposable product for a double feature market,” and that she would be promoted as a glamorous B-movie “bimbo.” Five years later, Laurie began the painful process of speaking for herself and articulating her professional desires. She broke her contract with Universal to take more serious roles on Broadway and in such groundbreaking TV dramas and films as the CBS Playhouse version of Days of Wine and Roses (1958), The Hustler (1961), Carrie (1976) and Twin Peaks (1990-91). Laurie’s openness—about her struggles with shyness and amphetamine addiction and her quietly determined pursuit of artistic fulfillment and sexual freedom—save the book from reading like just another Hollywood career catalog. The self-portrait that emerges is of a gracious woman who was in many ways ahead of her time and who fought “the good fight” on the way to becoming “a part of the speaking world.”Warmly intimate.-Kirkus Product DescriptionAn intimate memoir by three-time Oscar nominee Piper Laurie, one of Hollywood's most gifted and respected actressesAt the age of seventeen, in the glory days of movie-making, Piper Laurie was living every little girl’s dream. Having been selected by Universal Studios to be a contract star, Piper was removed from her acting class and provided with stylists, chaperones, leading roles, and handsome dates, and elevated to the heights of Hollywood. Her beauty was admired by the likes of Ronald Reagan, Howard Hughes, Paul Newman, Tony Curtis, as well as dozens of directors and legions of fans. Her name was emblazoned on marquees across America for hit movies of the fifties such as the The Prince Who Was a Thief, The Mississippi Gambler, and Ain’t Misbehavin’.But Piper discovered early on that the little girl’s dream was not her own. Mortified by the shallowness of the roles and movies she was given, she longed for the freedom and fulfillment of her own artistic vision. After years in the studio system, shy Piper Laurie found her voice and the courage to burn her contract. It was only after she left the oppressive studio culture that she began to star in the TV shows, plays, and films that truly became the hallmarks of her career: The Glass Menagerie on Broadway, the original Days of Wine and Roses, The Hustler, the iconic Carrie, and Twin Peaks. She grew into a three-time Oscar-nominated actress, an accomplished sculptor, and a director. This memoir is the inspiring tale of Piper’s perseverance to break from tradition and to practice her craft at the highest level. She started life as a withdrawn, mute child who couldn’t find her voice and was transformed into a woman who learned to live out loud by her own rules.From the Hardcover edition. Views: 62
All The World's A StageCelia St. Lys has risen above the secrets of her past and transformed herself into the most beautiful and gifted actress on the London stage. Her glamorous career is the love of her life, and she deftly eludes the clutches of her many suitors. But even she can't deny the lure of one roguish theatre patron. In her game of feigned seduction, she may have finally met her match. . .Except In The BedroomIn order to claim his inheritance, Lord Simon Ascot must find a proper bride. And there's certainly nothing proper about the fiery actress who's turning the head of every well-born man in London. As Simon and Celia resist both decorum and lust, they'll find there's pleasure to be had in wanting what they cannot have. . .Praise for The Pleasure of Bedding a Baroness"For fans of charming, madcap stories with happily-ever-after endings, Lejeune's latest is pleasing." —RT Book Reviews Views: 62
Collected here in one volume is James T. Farrell's renowned trilogy of the youth, early manhood, and death of Studs Lonigan: Young Lonigan, The Young Manhood of Studs Lonigan, and Judgment Day. In this relentlessly naturalistic portrait, Studs starts out his life full of vigor and ambition, qualities that are crushed by the Chicago youth's limited social and economic environment. Studs's swaggering and vicious comrades, his narrow family, and his educational and religious background lead him to a life of futile dissipation.Ann Douglas provides an illuminating introductory essay to Farrell's masterpiece, one of the greatest novels of American literature. Views: 62
One cold night — Two shocking mysteries — In the quiet town of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, a baby vanishes from her bedroom in an opulent lakeside home — Was she abducted — or does her father have a terrible secret to hide? — That same night, a young policewoman gets lost in the fog and stumbles into the middle of a horrific crime. Now a sadistic killer wants her to play his deadly game — Lieutenant Jonathan Stride and his team need to move fast to save a child and stop a vicious killing spree — As fear grips the frozen winter farm lands, Stride knows that every snow-covered field may be the next burying place. Each twist in the investigation takes Stride into an elaborate web of deceit and desire — But his biggest obstacles may be the very people he-s trying to help — With everything at risk and time running out, Stride worries how far a desperate mother will go to rescue her baby — and how far a desperate cop will go to save herself. Views: 62
"Truly, deeply romantic."—Eloisa James"Anna Campbell is an amazing, daring new voice in romance."—Lorraine HeathThe extraordinary Anna Campbell is making her mark in the world of historical romance fiction. New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens calls her dark and captivating stories of love and passion, "Regency noir—different and intriguing," while USA Today bestseller Kathryn Smith raves that, "Anna Campbell writes with the kind of intense emotion and dark passion that entraps the reader and refuses to let them go until the last page is read." With Midnight's Wild Passion, she delights readers once again with a richly emotional story of vengeance, passion, and redemption—as a notorious seducer's plans to ruin the daughter of his enemy are thwarted by his intended victim's guardian, a beautiful, worldly wise lady with a weakness for handsome rogues. Fans of Lisa Kleypas and early Catherine Coulter take note: Anna... Views: 62
A engaging, fun chapter book for readers starting to read on their own.Morgan wants to quit the soccer team, but if he does the team won't have enough players for the big tournament. As the play-offs near, Morgan and his friend Aldeen find unexpected ways to help the team triumph. One of a series of Morgan books, in ebook format.Author TED STAUNTON divides his time between writing and a busy schedule as a speaker, workshop leader, storyteller and musical performer for children and adults.BILL SLAVIN is a celebrated illustrator who lives in Millbrook Ontario. He has illustrated over 40 books for children, including The Cat Came Back.Commended - Canadian Children's Book Centre ""Our Choice"" Selection ""This story has a healthy quota of action, conflict, and humour in the true-to-life dialogue . . . Recommended."" - Canadian Review of MaterialsInterest age: From 5 To 10Chapter book, beginning reader, humour. Views: 62
Star basketball player Chelsea "Nitro" Keyes had the promise of a full ride to college—and everyone's admiration in her hometown. But everything changed senior year, when she took a horrible fall during a game. Now a metal plate holds her together and she feels like a stranger in her own family.As a graduation present, Chelsea's dad springs for a three-week summer "boot camp" program at a northern Minnesota lake resort. There, she's immediately drawn to her trainer, Clint, a nineteen-year-old ex-hockey player who's haunted by his own traumatic past. As they grow close, Chelsea is torn between her feelings for Clint and her loyalty to her devoted boyfriend back home. Will an unexpected romance just end up causing Chelsea and Clint more pain—or finally heal their heartbreak?Praise:"Playing Hurt is a delicious, tantalizing love story that will captivate you until the final, satisfying sigh." —Kristin Walker, author of A Match Made In High School Views: 62
I've discovered the secret to successful singledom. I'm acting like a man. And it's working.After breaking up with her boyfriend of, well, forever, Abigail Wood must learn how to be single from scratch. Her dating skills are abysmal, and she ricochets from disaster to disaster – until Robert, one of London's most notorious lotharios, agrees to coach her.With his advice, she learns to navigate the bastard-infested waters of the bar scene and practices the art of being bulletproof. The new Abigail is cocky, calm, composed...but what happens when she meets her match?A Girl Like You is the second book from Gemma Burgess. Her first book, The Dating Detox, was published in 2010 to rave reviews: "Laugh out loud funny" Closer magazine. "Smart, plotty and funny... Buy it, read it, love it." The Irish Herald. "For those waiting to option the next Bridget Jones, Gemma Burgess answers back." VF Daily, vanityfair.com. Views: 62
